Match-box.



J. M. CRAMER.

MATCH BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1909.

Q 0 0a 1 4 1-1 m 6 S n 6 t n MW & DA

UNITED STATES PATENT ornrcn JUDSON M. CRAMER, or GARDNER, Kansas.

MATCH-BOX.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JUDSON M. CRAMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gardner, in the county of Johnson and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Match Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is designed to modify the structure of match boxes as ordinarily manufactured whereby they may be easily converted into a magazine match safe and suspended from a wall, partition, or other support to enable one match at a time being removed from the box.

- The invention contemplates change in the construction of the box proper whereby the same is provided with a tray to be exposed when the box is converted into a magazine match safe, said box also being provided with a suspendin flange.

The invention further consists of the novel features, details of construction and combinations of parts which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated and finally claimed.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of the specification: Figure 1 is a perspective View of a match box embodying the invention showing the same converted into a magazine match safe. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of thematch box as it appears when closed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing the box when" converted into the form illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the box proper removed from the cover.

Correspon ing and like parts are referred to in the-f llowing description, and indi-v cated in all of the views in the drawings by the same reference characters.

The match box is of the type embodying a sliding cover 1 and a box 2 removable therein by a sliding movement. The cover 1 is closed upon four sides and open at opposite ends through which the box proper is adapted to slide.

The box proper is closed at its bottom ends and sides and is open at the top and adapted to slide freely within the cover 1. In accordance with this invention one end of the box is provided with a tray 3 the same comprising a. front 4, and ends 5. The front of the tray has'a notch 6 in its upper edge to admit of the finger conveniently grasping a match when it is required to obtain the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 10, 1909.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

Serial No. 452,431.

same for use. The ends 5 are formed at thelr 1nner upper corners with extensions 7 which constitute stops to engage with the I front of the cover and limit the outward movement of the tray when the boxis con verted into a magazine feed match, safe. The front 4 of the tray inclines as indicated most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3.

The suspending flange 8 provided at the opposite end of the box is formed with an opening to receive a nail or other suspending means and is provided with. a stop 9 to engage with the end of the cover to limit the movement of the latter in opposite directions. The stop 9 consists of a portion partly cut from the suspending flange and pressed engage over the upper end of the rear side of the cover and limit the upward movement thereof or the relative downward movement of the box. The stop 9 is arranged to engage one end of the cover when the ends 5 of the tray engage the opposite end of the cover thereby preventing relative movement of the cover in either direction as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3.

Vhile it is proposed to construct the box, tray and suspending flange of a single piece of sheet material such as card board or stout paper, nevertheless, these parts may be separately pasted or otherwise secured as may be desired. \Vhen the box is supplied with matches the suspending flange and the tray are folded to occupy the relative positions indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The suspending flange S is of a length to fold over the adjacent end of the box and thence down or over the open side thereof and thereby inaterially assist in preventing displacement o the matches which is of advantage when placing the cover in position. The front of the tray also extends over the open side of the box and serves the same purpose as the end portion of the suspending flange, namely, to retain the matches in place.

When the match box is filled and placed upon the market it presents substantially the same appearance as the ordinary match box. When it is required to convert the match box into a magazine feed match safe, the cover is slid upon the box a distance to adn1itof the withdrawal of the tray into the position substantially as shown in Figs. 1- and 3, the outward movement of the tray-berearwardly so as to automatically' formed in any convenient way and ing limited by the extension 7 in the manner set forth. The suspending flange is unfolded and moved so as to aline with the bottom of the box and this may be effected preliminary to exposing the tray or after the tray has been moved to an operative position. When the suspending flange is extended, the stop 9 engages the end of the cover and limits the upward movement thereof in the manner set forth. The matches enter the tray by a gravitative action and are prevented from overflowing the same by the front wall of the slide cover in the manner well explained.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A match box convertible into a magazine feed match safe, the same comprising a box'proper having a folding match tray at one end comprising a front and ends, the latter provided at their inner upper corners with extensions to form stops, a suspending flange at the opposite end of the box of a length to fold across the adjacent end and thence across the open side of the boxi said suspending flange having a portion partly cut therefrom to press outward to form a stop,- and a cover adapted to receive the box by a sliding movement.

2. A convertible match box comprising a sliding cover, a box proper-sliding within the cover and closed at its bottom, sides and ends, and having at one end a foldable tray comprising a front and ends, the latter having extensions at their inner upper corners to engage with the inner wall of the front of said cover to limit the outward movement of the tray, and a suspending flange at the opposite end of the box adapted to fold across the adjacent end and thence across the open side of the box, said flange having a portion partly cut therefrom and pressed outward to'provide a stop, said suspending fiange and front of the tray extending across the open side of the box to retain the matches in place therein.

In testimonywhereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J UnsoN M. (JRAM RQ \Vitnesses S. L. SHARPE, F. B. LYON. 

